We hung out in the Barrington Garden and the Habitat areas last week.
These are some things noticed....
"The big sunflower is dying."
"Some of the plants are turning an icky brown."
"Leave on the trees in the habitat area are turning colors."
"The air is getting colder."
Some questions we had were....
"Will the sap freeze on the trees?"
"Why is that big yellow pole out there?"
"Can we put a scarecrow up?"
"Will the animals eat the dead plants and leaves?"
Barrington Habitat Date: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 2:10 PM
The Johanni family (with help from Adam Boyer, Thomas Thitoff and Kyle Baugh) enjoyed tending the Barrington habitat last week. We saw a monarch butterfly caterpillar, spiders, lots of butterflies, moths and bees. We saw some scat, too -- evidence of others enjoying the space. We wanted to let you know that the bird seed has run out. We must have some hungry feathered, dinner guests.
Thanks for the opportunity to work with our hands and connect with nature. The children were very eager to care for the space and felt good about their productive work. I feel so blessed that they have, through the informal program, the chance to grow and develop this way.
In gratitude, Cathy Johanni
Monday, April 19, 2010 -
Dear Garden,Thank you for giving us a place to grow flowers and food. We like that birds can come to you for a snack.We'll see you tomorrow garden!Love,Miss Blake's Class Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - Magic Your Garden!
This AM I volunteered in Zoe's class...and my "job" was - to help weed the garden, clear out the straw and make compost! TOUGH TASK! I could hardly get the teams of 3 children I took out (the whole class) back into the classroom -THEY know it is something special and they want to STAY there!
They examined the bird feeders to see how much had been eaten since yesterday. Then we all pulled up weeds and they were able to tell me which plants were weeds and needed to come out!!!! They threw the weeds into the fine compost bin there... and then we hand gathered handfuls of straw to clear the ground......they worked hard, enthusiastically and with purpose.
I learned from listening to the conversation which child in the class won't get her hands dirty so won't like the gardening!!!! But the special MAGIC was a small circle now surrounded by stones - with tufts of bunny hair in it...and UNDERNEATH three TINY brand new bunnies. You couldn't exactly see them,, but you COULD see the fur moving a bit....and I wondered how poor Ms. Cottontail felt as she watched all the children gather round the circle, being VERY careful not to step in) and simply stared quietly. She must have been close but didn't see her. And a chill wind was blowing.....but the babies seemed fine. Probably a poor site selection since she is out of the nest during school hours, for sure!!!!!
Anyway - your whole garden plot is a stupendous success....and the children are simply fascinated. There is an extension for a coming veggie garden. I suggested the kids bring in their breakfast banana peels in a paper bag (also biodegradable) to contribute to making soil....and will take some of our neighbor's composed soil in to show them what it turns into. Some of the children compost at home, but most do not. I what a natural "earth day" effort! Thanks for MY special morning!!!! Smiles. Sally
April 1, 2010 We filled the bird feeder in the garden today.We are excited to see what types of birds come to get a snack!
October 2012
Signs of Fall! - October 2011
We hung out in the Barrington Garden and the Habitat areas last week.
These are some things noticed....
"The big sunflower is dying."
"Some of the plants are turning an icky brown."
"Leave on the trees in the habitat area are turning colors."
"The air is getting colder."
Some questions we had were....
"Will the sap freeze on the trees?"
"Why is that big yellow pole out there?"
"Can we put a scarecrow up?"
"Will the animals eat the dead plants and leaves?"
Barrington Habitat
Date: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 2:10 PM
The Johanni family (with help from Adam Boyer, Thomas Thitoff and Kyle Baugh) enjoyed tending the Barrington habitat last week. We saw a monarch butterfly caterpillar, spiders, lots of butterflies, moths and bees. We saw some scat, too -- evidence of others enjoying the space. We wanted to let you know that the bird seed has run out. We must have some hungry feathered, dinner guests.
Thanks for the opportunity to work with our hands and connect with nature. The children were very eager to care for the space and felt good about their productive work. I feel so blessed that they have, through the informal program, the chance to grow and develop this way.
In gratitude,
Cathy Johanni
Monday, April 19, 2010 -
Dear Garden,Thank you for giving us a place to grow flowers and food. We like that birds can come to you for a snack.We'll see you tomorrow garden!Love,Miss Blake's Class
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - Magic Your Garden!
This AM I volunteered in Zoe's class...and my "job" was - to help weed the garden, clear out the straw and make compost! TOUGH TASK! I could hardly get the teams of 3 children I took out (the whole class) back into the classroom -THEY know it is something special and they want to STAY there!
They examined the bird feeders to see how much had been eaten since yesterday. Then we all pulled up weeds and they were able to tell me which plants were weeds and needed to come out!!!! They threw the weeds into the fine compost bin there... and then we hand gathered handfuls of straw to clear the ground......they worked hard, enthusiastically and with purpose.
I learned from listening to the conversation which child in the class won't get her hands dirty so won't like the gardening!!!! But the special MAGIC was a small circle now surrounded by stones - with tufts of bunny hair in it...and UNDERNEATH three TINY brand new bunnies. You couldn't exactly see them,, but you COULD see the fur moving a bit....and I wondered how poor Ms. Cottontail felt as she watched all the children gather round the circle, being VERY careful not to step in) and simply stared quietly. She must have been close but didn't see her. And a chill wind was blowing.....but the babies seemed fine. Probably a poor site selection since she is out of the nest during school hours, for sure!!!!!
Anyway - your whole garden plot is a stupendous success....and the children are simply fascinated. There is an extension for a coming veggie garden. I suggested the kids bring in their breakfast banana peels in a paper bag (also biodegradable) to contribute to making soil....and will take some of our neighbor's composed soil in to show them what it turns into. Some of the children compost at home, but most do not. I what a natural "earth day" effort! Thanks for MY special morning!!!! Smiles. Sally
April 1, 2010
We filled the bird feeder in the garden today.We are excited to see what types of birds come to get a snack!